View full sizeShannon Villa cheers for Alabama outside Bryant-Denny Stadium on the University of Alabama campus in Tuscaloosa Friday, Nov. 4, 2011. Number one LSU plays number two Alabama Saturday in Tuscaloosa in what some are calling the Game of the Century. (Press-Register, Bill Starling)

TUSCALOOSA, Alabama -- The impact of the biggest football game in this town's history won't truly be understood for years to come.

Living in the moment can often make it a challenge to step back and take stock.

But if fanaticism is an indicator, tonight's game between No. 1 LSU and No. 2 Alabama will drop a crater worthy of the literature sure to be penned not only about this game, but this season's significance beyond the field of play.

The arteries that tie this town together began to clog full of automobiles, fans and anticipation Friday afternoon.

As the hours inched closer to kickoff, University Boulevard already offered a game-day feel with enough crimson, white and revelry to make even those legendary Tigers tailgaters blush.

Motor homes were anchored for the weekend. Tents filled Alabama's famed quad surrounding Denny Chimes, where the hand- and footprints of Crimson Tide captains are captured in cement.

The true comprehension of playing in one of the biggest regular-season games in college football history was not lost on Alabama's players, who already are part of one of the nation's storied programs.

"This is what you want to play in," Tide tight end

Michael Williams

said. "It'll be one for the ages."

This marks the first 1-2 matchup in Bryant-Denny Stadium history, but it goes even deeper. It's the first 1-2 matchup in SEC regular-season history, and the first SEC divisional 1-2 matchup.

Alabama has been in seven 1-2 battles before, four of them under fifth-year coach

Nick Saban

. The most recent was the Tide's win over Texas on Jan. 7, 2010 in the Rose Bowl for the BCS national championship. Alabama won its 13th national championship that night with a 37-21 win.

Alabama also happens to be the last No. 2 team to upset a No. 1 team, when the Tide wiped out Florida 32-13 on Dec. 5, 2009 in the SEC championship game.

Saban, who often sets the tone through his comments to reporters, has been very relaxed in recent days -- nothing like interviews entering the Tennessee game, when an obscenity was used to underscore the importance of not taking the Volunteers too lightly.

"I'm sure this will be a great atmosphere, and a great opportunity and why a lot of guys came to Alabama to play in games like this," Saban said. "We've had several 1-2 games in the past. They've all been really games that great competitors sort of really enjoy playing in."

The game itself feels as though it has been analyzed down to how low each blade of grass in Bryant-Denny Stadium has been trimmed, and what team will benefit the most thanks to the grounds crew.

The Tigers (8-0, 5-0 SEC) and Tide (8-0, 5-0) have both won nine in a row dating back to last season. LSU is 11-1 since a 24-21 win over Alabama last season at Tiger Stadium. The Tide also is 11-1 since that loss Nov. 6, 2010.

ESPN's two-day College GameDay broadcast has evolved into four days after live and taped segments began Wednesday with an all-access broadcast from camps.

National reporters have converged on Tuscaloosa with everyone trying to offer a unique story leading into what some have labeled the latest Game of the Century.

was asked Friday afternoon on the steps of Bryant-Denny Stadium how the performance of Alabama running back

Trent Richardson

could impact his Heisman hopes?

"In the fourth quarter, if it plays out the way Alabama wants, they will have worn down LSU, and that's when he'll be able to break tackles and he could end up going for 150 yards," Herbstreit said. "If he goes for 150 on this big a stage and they win then he's starting to really pick up momentum. ... If they don't win, and LSU's defense gets penetration and they make his life miserable, this is one of those games that could impact him to the point of not being serious about trying to win a Heisman Trophy. You hate to put all that on one guy, but it's huge for him."

And it's huge for both teams.

The winner will be in control of its own destiny in terms of the SEC West, and a possible BCS national championship berth.

The outcome will in turn lead to the ongoing debate as to whether the loser will still have a chance to play for a national title, and if both teams could meet again in New Orleans to settle the score.

Of course, all of this speculation before a single play has been made.

There's good news to report: The debates and analysis can end tonight.

And regardless of the victor, LSU and Alabama can enjoy crafting some significant college football history they can one day offer to their grandchildren.

"With the stakes that are surrounding this game, I think it is something that you'll remember the rest of your life," Tide center

William Vlachos

said. "I'm not there yet, so I don't know what I'm going to look back on. I've made a lot of memories at this place.